Adam Mitchell has been CKUA’s Chief Operating Officer since February 2023. These days, he is also Acting CEO. He is familiar to many in the CKUA community, but since his role is changing, we thought it would be a good time to check in with him!
CKUA is going through a season of change, and you are now the COO and Acting CEO. What are your first priorities as your role evolves?
Any time there’s a shift in leadership, there’s a period of adjustment. Emotionally, practically, and structurally. My role as Acting CEO is to help guide us through that transition while keeping our momentum going. We’ve been working hard over the past few years to lay the groundwork for a stronger, more sustainable CKUA, and we’re just beginning to see some of those plans take shape. That includes advancing our major gifts strategy, and staying focused on content that reflects our identity, connects deeply with our listeners, and carries the heart of the station forward. It’s what makes CKUA special.
We’ve got some new faces joining the team, and it’s important to me that they feel welcomed and supported. We’re always working to strengthen our workplace culture. This should be a place where people feel excited to come to work, and where they know their contributions matter.
What do you see as CKUA’s biggest challenges in the months ahead?
Navigating change is always a challenge, and we need to help steward our people and the organization through that change. We’re in a period of growth and transition, and with that comes financial, emotional, and creative pressures.
We’ve had some real wins lately, but we’ve also been through tough times, and we need to keep managing our resources carefully. At the same time, we’re seeing new energy in our outreach, in our fundraising, and in how we’re showing up on air. That momentum is driven by CKUA’s ambitious, dedicated, and deeply passionate team.
Our job as leaders is to keep that fire lit, without letting people burn out. We want to inspire, not exhaust. That’s the balance we’re trying to hold.
The Fund Development Team has set ambitious goals for the upcoming months and years. How are the leadership team and the board working together to support those goals?
There’s a real sense of growth at CKUA right now. Not just in vision, but in structure. As we evolve the way we work, we’re also facing increased costs and complexity. That means fundraising is more important than ever.
Our listeners and donors have always been the heart of this organization, and we never take their support for granted. The work that Kevin Fitzgerald and the Fund Development team are doing is critical. We’re especially focused on building out our major gifts program, and our board and fundraising committees are deeply engaged in that work.
We have to be realistic about the things we want to do, but we also want to dream big. We have already seen wins. I’m confident we are on the right path.
What are you most grateful for at CKUA?
I have been a listener since 1999, and I have known many longtime fans, but until I started working in this community, I didn’t know how unique it is.
It’s a privilege to hear how this station has touched people’s lives. There’s nothing like it, possibly in the whole world. People love the arts, and people love music, but the way people connect with CKUA is different. It’s a special community.
And I feel that love every day from the team I work with. I’m so grateful for the people who give so much of themselves to make this place what it is.
What was the highlight of CKUA summer for you?
Going to festivals across the province was a great way to see that CKUA’s connections are real. We had so many terrific conversations with musicians. And some of these artists told us that the CKUA interview was the highlight of their day, of their festival experience. That says something about the way we show up. We are part of a bigger community. We are not just a radio station. We are integral to music, arts, and culture in Alberta. And that is a fun thing to witness first-hand. The live broadcasts that we have done from festival stages are special. And a station that takes the time to share that experience with listeners is unique.
